Brazen Afternoon Burglary Nets $3,000 in Cash from Home Office

Residents in Montclair are being urged to lock their doors even during daylight hours following a brazen afternoon burglary. According to the Montclair Police Department, a local family fell victim to a "sneak theft" that resulted in the loss of a significant amount of cash.

The Highland Avenue Burglary

The incident occurred on the afternoon of June 18 at a residence located on Highland Avenue. According to the police report, an unknown suspect gained entry to the home during daylight hours while the house was occupied. A nanny, who was working at the residence at the time, later told responding officers that she recalled hearing the front door slam shut around the time the crime is believed to have occurred.

The intruder specifically targeted a home office within the residence. Investigators confirmed that the burglar located and stole an envelope that contained approximately $3,000 in physical cash before fleeing the scene undetected.

A Spate of Local Property Crimes

The Highland Avenue theft was not an isolated incident. Montclair Police confirmed they investigated two additional residential burglaries on that same day:

• Gates Avenue: A resident reported that a basement storage unit within an apartment complex was forcefully pried open with a crowbar, resulting in a stolen bicycle.
• Bloomfield Avenue: Residents returned home after a brief four-hour absence to discover their home had been breached. The victims reported missing cash and jewelry, noting that several jewelry boxes had been visibly rummaged through.

Securing Cash and Home Offices

The Highland Avenue incident is a stark reminder that burglars often operate during the day when they believe homes are empty or residents are distracted. To protect high-value assets within a home office:

• Lock the Front Door: The simplest deterrent is often the most effective. Many daylight "sneak thefts" occur because a front door is left unlocked while residents or workers are busy in the backyard or upstairs. Always keep exterior doors deadbolted, even when you are actively home.
• Utilize a Hidden Safe: Never store large amounts of cash in obvious locations like desk drawers or filing cabinets. Invest in a heavy-duty, fireproof safe that is physically bolted to the floorboards or securely hidden within a wall cavity.
• Home Office Cameras: If you frequently handle cash or store expensive electronics in a dedicated home office, install a standalone, motion-activated interior camera specifically pointed at the doorway of that room.